Sheryl Swoopes Biography: Awards, Instagram, Net Worth, Nationality, Height, Husband, Age, Stats

Sheryl Denise Swoopes, born on March 25, 1971, in Brownfield, Texas, is a renowned American former professional basketball player.

She holds the distinction of being the first athlete signed by the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) upon its inception in 1997.

Throughout her career, Swoopes secured three WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and led the Houston Comets to four consecutive WNBA championships from 1997 to 2000.

Profile

• Full name: Sheryl Denise Swoopes
• Date of birth: March 25, 1971
• Age: 54 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Brownfield, Texas, U.S.
• State of origin: Texas
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Former professional basketball player, coach
• Height: 6 feet (1.83 meters)
• Parents: Louise Swoopes (mother)
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Chris Unclesho (married in 2017)
• Children: Jordan Eric Jackson
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: African American
• Net worth: $300,000

Early Life and Education

Sheryl Swoopes, now 54 years old, was born on March 25, 1971, in Brownfield, Texas. Raised by her mother, Louise Swoopes, she began playing basketball at an early age. Swoopes attended Brownfield High School, where she showcased her burgeoning talent on the basketball court.

After high school, she enrolled at South Plains Junior College before transferring to Texas Tech University. At Texas Tech, Swoopes led the Lady Raiders to an NCAA national championship in 1993 and set a record by scoring 47 points in the championship game.

Personal Life

Sheryl Swoopes has one son, Jordan Eric Jackson, born in 1997, from her marriage to her high school sweetheart, Eric Jackson. The couple later divorced.

In 2005, Swoopes publicly came out as gay and announced her relationship with Alisa Scott, a former assistant coach with the Houston Comets. They later ended their relationship. In 2017, Swoopes married her longtime fiancé, Chris Unclesho.

Career

Sheryl Swoopes’ professional career began when she became the first player signed by the WNBA in 1997. She joined the Houston Comets and played a pivotal role in leading the team to four consecutive WNBA championships from 1997 to 2000.

Swoopes earned the WNBA MVP award three times (2000, 2002, 2005) and was selected as an All-Star six times. She also represented the United States in international competition, winning gold medals in the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympics.

After her tenure with the Comets, Swoopes played for the Seattle Storm and later the Tulsa Shock before retiring from professional basketball. She transitioned into coaching, serving as the head women’s basketball coach at Loyola University Chicago from 2013 to 2016.

Awards and Accolades

Sheryl Swoopes’ accolades include:

• Three-time WNBA MVP (2000, 2002, 2005)
• Four-time WNBA champion with the Houston Comets (1997–2000)
• Six-time WNBA All-Star
• NCAA national champion with Texas Tech (1993)
• Three Olympic gold medals with Team USA (1996, 2000, 2004)
• Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2016)
• Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2017)

Net Worth

Sheryl Swoopes’ net worth is estimated to be approximately $300,000. Her wealth primarily stems from her professional basketball career, endorsements, and coaching roles.

Controversy

In 2016, during her tenure as head coach at Loyola University Chicago, Swoopes faced allegations of player mistreatment, leading to an internal investigation. The inquiry resulted in her contract not being renewed.

Social Media

• Instagram: @airswoopes22
• X (formerly Twitter): @airswoopes22